Castroville man sentenced for making false documents

A Castroville man was sentenced to 32 months in state prison for preparing false documents, according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said in 2014, Jesse Anthony Sanchez, 51, was hired by the California Department of Transportation (DOT) to supervise probationers who were participating in Monterey County’s “Work Alternative Program.”

The program involves low-level probationers who perform community service such as picking up trash on highways instead of jail time. According to prosecutors, Sanchez solicited money in exchange for community service hours that probationers did not complete.

Sanchez has prior criminal records which include a strike offense of residential burglary, cruelty to a child, driving under the influence and petty theft.

During sentencing, Judge Larry E. Hayes stated that Sanchez’s conduct was an outrageous abuse of power that betrayed public trust.

The case was investigated by Officer Xavier Spencer of the California Highway Patrol.